Helicopter To Aid Malibu Cliff Repairs Along PCH

MALIBU, CA — Caltrans will use a helicopter to repair winter storm damage along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, the agency announced Friday.

The work begins next week on Wednesday and Thursday and involves the installation by air and ground crews of mesh to contain rocky cliffs along a stretch of the busy coastal artery near Big Rock Drive.

🚁PCH UPDATE🚁
Motorists will see a helicopter operation July 30 & 31 north of Big Rock Drive. No lane closures, but be alert for slowed traffic. The work will restore slope protection from storm damage. Crews will contact affected residents.
Details at https://t.co/QfywlAukiB. pic.twitter.com/bdfKSvl7Iw
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) July 25, 2025

Winter storms of 2023 did the damage, which requires slope restoration, according to Caltrans.

The heavy metal mesh will be installed slightly north of the bus stops near the former Moonshadows Restaurant at 20356 Pacific Coast Highway, Caltrans said.

"Once installed, the mesh will serve as a protective system to catch rocks and debris," according to an agency news release that said the work was delayed by bad weather and January's Palisades Fire.

No lanes will be closed during the repairs but the helicopter's flights will be hard to ignore, and motorists are urged to keep their eyes on the road.

The work will start as early as 7 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. each day on July 30 and 31.

Changeable message signs will alert motorists of the upcoming work and will remain on the road throughout the operation.

"Without a helicopter, installing this mesh section would take ground crews several weeks and require more lane closures on PCH," Caltrans explained.

"The helicopter's flight path is planned to minimize disruption to the area, avoiding traffic lanes or city streets and instead will pass over adjacent slopes and cliffsides," according to

Caltrans, which adds that most of the buildings near the area are unoccupied because of the deadly Palisades fires.

Crews will nonetheless go door-to-door on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday to alert residents within a 500-foot radius of the flight path in the Big Rock area.

"All marked buildings must be vacated during the operation," Caltrans said.

City News Service